Nutrition North Canada wants to hear from Northerners

OTTAWA, May 30, 2016 /CNW/ - The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs and the Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Health today announced that the Government of Canada will hold engagement sessions across the North to listen and learn from Northern residents on how to further improve the Nutrition North Canada (NNC) program.

From May to June 2016 and September to November 2016, the government will engage with Northerners, NNC subsidy recipients, northern transportation companies, and Indigenous organizations in up to 20 Northern communities. The objective of the public engagement sessions is to better understand the needs of Northerners and to determine how the program can keep pace with the growing demand for healthy foods in the North. The input gathered through this process will be used to develop options to update the program and to help it stay on a sustainable path.

The first session will take place in Old Crow, Yukon on May 30, 2016, and will coincide with the public meeting of the Nutrition North Canada Advisory Board.

Quotes

"Northerners need to have a direct voice in the Nutrition North Canada program. I encourage Northerners to participate at the upcoming sessions to have their say and to contribute ideas about how to make the program work better for them. Together we can update the NNC program so that families have access to affordable, healthy food."

The Honourable Carolyn Bennett,
Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs 

"A nutritious diet is essential to good physical and mental health. We are committed to working with Northerners in isolated communities, Indigenous partners, and provincial and territorial governments to improve access to nutritious food."

The Honourable Jane Philpott,
Minister of Health

"We hope Northern residents will take this opportunity to participate in the Nutrition North engagements sessions and share with us ideas they may have for a new vision for the Program."

Nellie Cournoyea,
Interim Nutrition North Canada Advisory Board Chair

Quick Facts

• Northern residents and other stakeholders will be able to submit their input through written submissions during face to face meetings or via a soon-to-be launched online survey.
• Findings from the engagement sessions will be presented in a final report that will be posted on the NNC website.
• Budget 2016 proposes to invest $64.5 million over five years, starting in 2016-17, and $13.8 million per year ongoing, to expand Nutrition North Canada.

Associated Links

NNC Engagement 
How Nutrition North Canada works 
NNC Advisory Board

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SOURCE Government of Canada

Contacts: Sabrina Williams, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, 819-997-0002; Media Relations, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, 819-953-1160; Andrew MacKendrick, Office of the Minister of Health, [phone]; Media Relations, Health Canada, 613-957-2983